Sergio Leone’s tribute to the classic American gangster epic meanders at times, but is ultimately a unique film for those who can endure its near four-hour length. Once Upon a Time in America is one of those movies that require your attention; it is not something you put on in the background while updating your social media status. This story ostensibly covers a group of street urchins rising to the top of the Jewish mafia food chain in the Prohibition era, but is more about one man and the complicated choices that he makes during his long life. His being a gangster is simply the backdrop here. Once Upon a Time in America could have been about any elderly man reflecting on a life of mistakes and potential wasted in his pursuit of the American Dream. Although it is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, I recommend sitting down and getting lost in this tale. Leone’s final cinematic offering may not be perfect, but the photography and art direction makes it a positively gorgeous film for film lovers.
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